Hike Description:

Cross to the east side of the road and follow the blue-blazed Escarpment Trail (co-aligned with a yellow-blazed horse trail) into the woods. The trail heads south and descends through a mixed forest of hemlocks and deciduous trees.

In half a mile, the trail crosses two old railroad rights-of-way and a bridge over the outlet of North/South Lake. After crossing another bridge, you'll reach a four-way junction. Here, you turn right, continuing to follow the blue blazes of the Escarpment Trail along a woods road, with the stream below to the right. You'll soon pass a trail register (please sign) and cross a short footbridge.

A short distance beyond, the trail turns left, leaving the road, and begins a steady climb. After leveling off, it begins to descend, first gradually, then more steeply. At the base of the descent, a stone monument on the left memorializes Frank Layman, a firefighter who lost his life here in August 1900.

You've now reached the edge of the escarpment, which you'll follow for the next mile and a half. The trail turns left here, and in a short distance, it turns left again and begins to climb. In 500 feet, after a steep climb up a large rock, it reaches a panoramic viewpoint. Kaaterskill Clove - which you traversed to get here - is directly below, Kaaterskill High Peak and Roundtop tower above the clove to the south, and the small community of Twilight Park may be seen to the right.

A little further along, you’ll pass another expansive viewpoint on the right, and then you’ll climb to a third viewpoint with a more limited view. Just beyond, the trail climbs steeply, then more gradually, and it reaches a junction with a yellow-blazed connector trail that begins on the left.

Continue ahead on the blue-blazed trail, which shortly emerges onto Sunset Rock (marked by a sign), with a somewhat limited south-facing view. After a short level stretch, the trail descends steeply over rock ledges to reach Inspiration Point (Trail Conference Map 141 labels this viewpoint as "Sunset Rock" and the following viewpoint as "Inspiration Point"). Here, two large flat rocks with carved inscriptions (some of which date back over 100 years) afford panoramic views to the west and south. Be careful when approaching the edge, as the drop is precipitous!

A short distance beyond, you'll reach a broad viewpoint to the east over the Hudson River valley, with the Taconic Mountains beyond. For the next quarter mile, the trail continues to run very close to the edge of the escarpment, with more views.

About three-quarters of a mile beyond Inspiration Point, you'll come to a T-intersection with a yellow-blazed horse trail. Turn right, now following both blue and yellow blazes, and in 300 feet, turn left, continuing to follow the blue- and yellow-blazed trail. In the next half mile, you'll gradually climb about 200 vertical feet.

At the next junction, the blue-blazed Escarpment Trail turns right, but you should bear left, now following the red-blazed Schutt Road Trail and the yellow-blazed horse trail. In 60 feet, turn left, continuing to follow the red and yellow blazes.

In the next mile, you'll descend gradually along an old carriage road, passing the end of the yellow-blazed connector trail on the left. The Schutt Road Trail ends at the four-way junction that you passed towards the start of the hike. Continue ahead, immediately crossing a bridge, and follow the blue-blazed Escarpment Trail back to the parking area where the hike began.

Catskill Escarpment Loop (South) from Scutt Road (North...

Cross to the east side of the road and follow the blue-blazed Escarpment Trail (co-aligned with a yellow-blazed horse trail) into the woods. The trail heads south and descends through a mixed forest of hemlocks and deciduous tree...

Prepare For Your Hike

Hike Checklist:

Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.

The Essentials

Hiking Shoes or Boots

Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.

Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.

Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.

Sunscreen and insect repellent

Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.

Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.

Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.

First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.

Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.

Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.

Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.

Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)

Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.

Let's Go

Directions to Trailhead :

Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 20 (Saugerties). Beyond the toll booths, turn left at the traffic light, cross over the Thruway, then turn right onto Route 32 North. Follow Route 32 for 6.0 miles, then continue ahead on Route 32A. In 1.9 miles, turn left onto Route 23A and follow it up Kaaterskill Clove. At the top of the climb, in the Village of Haines Falls, turn right onto North Lake Road. In 2.1 miles (just before reaching the entrance to the North/South Lake Campground), turn right onto Scutt Road and follow it for 200 feet to a parking area on the right.

Trip Reports

Trails will be snow covered and icy. Dress warmly in layers and bring proper equipment.

k2malkin@optimum.net

October 16, 2013

0

Escarpment Trail

This was an absolutely beautiful hike. The trail description was excellent, weather was cool but great, and the views were outstanding!

rostrove

March 23, 2012

0

Amazing! Add 2 more miles for Ultra Amazing!!

We did this hike yesterday. At the junction of the red trail and the escarpment trail to Boulder Rock, take the extra mile to Boulder Rock! It's actually .92 I believe and the trail is smooth. The view from Boulder Rock was well worth it! Another .92 back to the junction and you add almost 2 more miles, about 30 minutes (not counting time spent at the rock), and a peace that is unparalleled!